First Car Show and it is at my work today.

 

Congrats on the first show! It's looking good!

 

I love it as is.. call it done!

.... but then again vehicles are never done...

 

Better photos from a professional camera man at the event.

 

Did some paint matching to the hood and front fenders. Also went over to a friends house to let him borrow my power washer and he mentioned some extra wood he had lying around that would make a good bed floor...agreed.

 

Nice work just went over all 9 pages.
So tell us how does it handle with the Star front end & Bird rear end?
Also how many miles you got on it now?
Dave ----

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my build. As you have read/seen I haven't gone from point A to B on this hobby.

I think the ride is great. I can't compare it to stock because it was 12 years ago when I last drove it with stock suspension. I can tell you I enjoy driving it more than my 2012 HD Street Glide and 2015 F-150 Platinum. This may be a combination of the looks I get, 4 on the floor, engine sound with exhaust, etc.

I like the idea of a lower stance truck but when it was lower the ride sucked...very stiff. I believe I have the ride height near stock. I wanted a hot rod type build meaning doing donuts, burnouts like fast and loud and taking corners top speed and that is another reason why I wanted a lower stance-center of gravity. Fortunately I built the truck with the engine as low as possible on the frame and the IRS crossmembers (3) are 3/16 plated fully boxed steel. Also the 22 gallon tank behind the suspension. I wanted lots of weight low. Surprisingly I do not notice excessive body roll; I think in part to both forward and rear sway bars.

I think the front/rear suspensions were a very good choice for the budget minded build. The end result has been better than I could have hoped.

I still have a long way to go. Stay tuned.

BTW..I have gone 748 miles (w/ a top speed of 85). I use a speedometer app on my phone.

Stephen

 

Stephen,


Thanks for the feed back.
I think the reason you like to drive it over the others is you built it with your own hands. The others you hand over money and drive off.


Also anyone can have one like or close to the other 2.
How many can have a 1954 F100 P/U? Then have it built like yours?


thanks again
Dave ----

 

Dave,
You are exactly right. Going through the process is very satisfying. For instance, I know how quite my cab currently is compared to one week ago because I just installed new door weather stripping, door latches and striker plates. Others hear the much quieter squeaks and think it is noisy. The process of improvement no matter how small is very rewarding.
Thanks,
Stephen

 

Scrolled through your Build thread tonight Stephen. I started at page 1 and thought there is nothing wrong with that truck? Looks good. So I cheated and went to page 9 and saw an old patina body truck. That got my attention so I went back and started from the beginning and went in order. Great thread. You have a lot of talent, skill, and patients! I do like you rear bumper you built. It looks solid and better than the repros. Do you still have a pattern for the brackets. I may be contacting you in the future if you do! Anyway keep up the good work. Dave

 

Thanks Dave.

Sorry, but I threw away the cardboard template. I do not think they would be much help anyway because I had to massage the metal cut-outs from the templates to work. It is never as easy as I plan.

Latest Updates:
Painted the wheels with the same color matched paint I used on the body. I did darken them a bit with flat black.

Did the Ford letters in white on the tail gate.

Installed the windshield wipers. Non-Functional. Need to get an electric motor however, I have no plans to drive in the rain.

Re-installed the hood badging.

To Dos:

Need to get new stiffer tall rear coils. The rear (with a full tank) sits 1/2 inch lower than the front. Also the camber is off on the rears and raising the truck will correct. I have used all the camber adjustment in the upper A arm.

Still planning to purchase an Elderbrock Air Gap Intake, Re-due Fuel Hoses to may Russell or Earls, and possibly add an Electric Fuel Pump (all before Summer hit). I had a trough time with the 90-100 degree temps.

 

Over the last year I have been doing more driving than building however, the last time I attempted to change the oil I noticed oil splatter all over. I determined the oil pan was loose so I tightened the pan bolts but the leak did not go away. I decided to remove the engine, install a new oil pan gasket and clean up a few things. Anyway here is where I'm at now. I attempted to make this 1985 351W color look similar to the original 1954 engines. I like this look much better than my previous all black engine bay. I also decided to make the firewall and inner fenders white.

 

wish I could see the pics!!? none showing up?

 

Here is the engine bay back together. Also lengthen the shifter.

 

A bit more pics.